Next Sunday, Germany’s largest spring marathon will take place in its 35th edition in late summer for the first time due to the pandemic and exclusively with athletes vaccinated against Corona.
Hamburg’s sports senator Andy Grote said today at an event press conference: “We are very pleased that, despite the necessary restrictions, another major traditional sports event, the marathon, can now take place in the Hanseatic city. From our point of view, this is a strong and important signal for the runners, all forces involved in the organisation and for the sports city of Hamburg.”
Frank Thaleiser, chief organiser of the Haspa Marathon Hamburg added: “The fact that the event can take place on Sunday is also an expression of the fact that intensive coordination processes can lead to success even under very difficult conditions. This has really succeeded here. Accordingly, in addition to our partners, my special thanks go to the city of Hamburg.”
On Sunday, a total of 5,156 runners and one hand cyclist are expected at the start in the half marathon, marathon and relay marathon competitions. As in 2012, the start and finish line will be on the Glacischaussee. Apart from that, the route remains almost unchanged and runs, as usual, through the typical and attractive districts of the Hanseatic city. In addition to Everyman, a seven-strong selection of top young athletes – five men and two women – from Ethiopia and Uganda will be at the start. At 8:00 a.m. the half marathon will start with 1,688 runners. At 9:00 a.m., Hamburg’s First Mayor, Dr. Peter Tschentscher, will ring the starting bell for 2,417 marathon runners and a total of 1,072 relay participants.
The event centre will be located on the Heiligengeistfeld in buildings that are ventilated to meet Corona’s needs. From 9.00 a.m. on Friday, registered starters will be able to collect their starting documents in person only and on presentation of a valid Corona vaccination certificate.
The traditional Marathon Fair will be cancelled due to the pandemic, as will any official side event programme at the start and finish as well as on the course. The popular junior and children’s race “Das Zehntel” with over 8,000 schoolchildren will also not take place this year.
